Stagnating Sales

August is a month of doldrums in a lot of ways. There are no major holidays. It's hot and (if you're in the Midwest like I am) muggy. And sales are slow unless you're touting back to school stuff.

I would spend the time acquiring inventory, since it is still garage sale season, but I have a lot of capital tied up in some beautiful vintage luggage right now. I think I'll take this time-out to assess what is working and what isn't about the listings I have.

I have noticed that props seem to enhance photos a lot - particularly on Etsy. For instance, this suitcase...

...and this traincase

... were posted a day apart on Etsy. The blue one with props has had 70 views, 9 admirers, and made it into a treasury list. The one with no props? Only 14 views and 3 admirers. Apparently I need to give props to my props.

Intro to My Online Adventures

My New Year's Resolution this year was to start either an Etsy store or an eBay reselling business. I couldn't decide which I wanted to do more, so I've done both!

I already had an Etsy account as AspenandPike, but as my business has evolved, I wanted to distinguish my vintage offerings from my crafty stuff. So I created PikeVintage as a sister store. I still post a few vintage items on eBay as well. I'm counting it as an additional venue, rather than a separate business. Etsy is my niche market, but inventory doesn't move as quickly; eBay gets more traffic, but commands lower prices.

I created this blog to record my adventures in thrifting, flipping, fixing up, and selling vintage items, as well as the ups and downs of owning my own business.